Darash Chai Experiment

The last part of the book of Exodus gets extremely repetitive. And not even repetitive about the exciting bits, but repetitive with the tabernacle. It is so easy to just skip over these chapters and move on to something else entirely. When we do so, however, we miss out on something profound. Israel, for all their faults and failures, has finally come to a point where they are united behind a common cause. A community working together whole heartedly to build a dwelling place for God.

All through the book of Exodus God has been revealing His name to the world. We have seen His reputation, authority, power, and more. But what is it that drives all of these other aspects of the Name of God? This week we find out. In this passage God calls out His character to Moses, and then acts within that character to renew the covenant that had been broken.

The story of the Golden Calf in the wilderness is one of the most iconic stories in the Bible. Israel had just had a very real encounter with their God. They had agreed multiple times to the terms of the covenant. And then, once their leader is missing for a few weeks, they turn their back on the command that they had received. What precipitated this action? What are the implications of the fallout? Where can Israel go from here?

There are times in every process when you simply have to take a break. This is one of those times. In this interlude episode we take a break from the weekly parsha cycle to give an update on the progress of various Darash Chai projects, and then to discuss something that has been weighing on my mind.

In Exodus 31 we read the final instructions that are given in regards to the Tabernacle. Several foreman are appointed and the final charge is given to commence the building project that has been commissioned by God. And then, as the final and seventh part of the instructions that have been the topic of the text since Exodus 25, the command is given to keep the Sabbath. There is in this chapter, a contrast between work and Shabbat. Two ends of a spectrum that we all engage in.

As the first round of instructions for the tabernacle draw to a close the book of Exodus goes through a series of things that on the surface seem disconnected. Instructions for a census to be taken. Instructions for the bronze wash basin. And ingredients for the holy oil and the incense. When we dig beneath the surface of these four topics, however, and compare then together we discover something fascinating. A topic comes to the front that is a bit counter intuitive to the modern mind. But once we see it, we can recognize this theme all through scripture.

The instructions for the Tabernacle and its items contain within them some amazing insight into just how we should approach God. This week we return to the tabernacle structure and examine a pattern that it contains that reveals perhaps the most important aspect of any relationship. Communication. God communicates with us in many ways, and we are to communicate in return with Him in return. This communication back to God is called prayer. For the simple fact is, without communication and prayer, can you truly be in a relationship with Him?

In the midst of the instructions for the Tabernacle we read of the process of ordination that the priests were to go through before they could serve in the tent. But what does it mean to be a priest? What is it that Adam, the first man, can teach us about this role? Peter, as well as John say that we are being built into a royal priesthood. How is this role of priest to be reflected in our own lives?

Throughout the Bible, clothing is used as a symbol in various ways. Clothing caries with it the concept of bestowing honor, being beautified, or being covered in righteousness. So when we get to Exodus 28 we need to incorporate these ideas into our understanding of what is happening in this text. One man, one representative is being honored and elevated above his brothers to serve before God. But these clothes, perhaps more than any other, contain an extra layer of symbolism that reveals much more about the role and purpose of our High Priest.